BedsLife August 2021 by BedsLife Magazine

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inside 10 Things to Do with the Children this Summer Little Bandits Bootcamp for Children Sizzling Summer Reads RSPB Celebrates 100 Years of Saving Birds

AUGUST 2021

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h the to Do wit 10 Thi ngsthi s Sum me r n Chi ldre tca mp dit s Boo Litt le Ban n for Chi ldre ds me r Rea Sum g rs of Siz zlin s 100 Yea ebr ate RSP B Cel Bird s Sav ing ord e Cro ssw £25 Priz

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Council News Richard Fuller MP Mohammad Yasin MP Volunteer Opportunities Sharnbrook Community Sports Centre 10 Things to do with the Children this Summer Create your own Chocolate Competition Summer Reading Challenge Little Bandits Boot Camp Forever Fashion No Mean Feet Sizzling Summer Reads The Composing Cook – Biscuit Log Cake Lyd Eats Food – FatCap Smokehouse Prize Crossword What’s On Milky’s Music Matters Home Interiors – How to avoid Colour Crises Marston Forest – Bats in Trees Bromham Conservation Group RSPB Celebrates 100 years of Saving Birds Acorn House Pet Advice Wood Green The Great Outdoors – Puffins on Skomer Gardening – Songbirds Women’s Walking Football Advertiser Index Useful Local Resources Last months Crossword Answers

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council news There is still time to have your say on the Local Plan 2040 The next phase of the Local Plan 2040 consultation is underway and Bedford Borough Council wants to hear from you. Local Plans set out where growth and development will take place – everything from homes and jobs to schools and infrastructure. While the Local Plan 2030 was approved in January 2020, there are some policies that need updating earlier than normal in order to keep them in line with national policies, such as those related to the Government’s new formula for housing growth, and the Oxford to Cambridge Arc. This consultation is asking for your views on a development strategy to 2040, and where growth can be delivered. Based on the Government’s latest methodology, the new Local Plan needs to allocate land for a minimum of 12,500 additional new dwellings and space for around 8,650 jobs. Last year, the Council asked for your thoughts about the different kinds of location where growth might take place. These have fed into four short-listed options focused on the urban area, the A421 corridor and existing and planned rail stations. Three of these include one or two new settlements. More details and maps are available on the Council’s website, at www. bedford.gov.uk/localplan2040 This consultation

is also asking for views on town centre and retail policies, and updated policies looking at impact on the environment, the quality of development and self and custom build homes. The full consultation paper, a summary leaflet, and a set of FAQs about the paper can be seen at www. bedford.gov.uk/localplan2040. You can have your say online at www.bedford.gov.uk/localplan2040. The consultation papers available use a new system, which enables people to mark-up specific paragraphs with their comments, save a draft and come back to it, and to keep a copy for their own records. You can also respond by post to Planning Policy Team, Bedford Borough Council, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, MK42 9AP. Drop in sessions will be taking place at The Howard Centre, Bedford (by the indoor entrance to TKMaxx) between 11am and 2pm on Wednesday 11 August and Saturday 21 August. If you have any questions not addressed in the FAQs, the team can be contacted on 01234 718300 where you can leave a message and the team will come back to you. The consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 3 September.

Hidden painting discovered! The Higgins Bedford have discovered a hidden painting while undertaking conservation of artwork for their ‘Going to Town’ exhibition.

was surprised to discover another artwork hidden behind the frame. The artwork is a fully finished oil painting depicting a picturesque country cottage.

For every art exhibition at The Higgins Bedford, staff check on the condition of the paintings to identify which will need conservation before going on public display. Seven artworks were selected and taken to the conservator to be removed from their damaged frames, mounted in museum board and have any foxing that had caused any discolouring corrected.

No artist’s signature has been found but further investigation has revealed that two sides of the painting had been cut down to make it fit behind the frame. The signature was most likely removed in this way.

Whilst working on a watercolour sketch by Bedfordshire artist, Stanley Orchart, the conservator

While the artist, date of the painting and the location of the country cottage remains a mystery, there will be a lot of fun in trying to finding out more!

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Hare coursing is a serious and aggravating crime, but victims of this crime are currently poorly served in obtaining justice. Over the past year, I have heard directly from residents in North East Bedfordshire who feel both threatened and powerless in confronting this crime. Police powers to intervene, already difficult given location and times of day, are ill suited to the crimes taking place and too often the penalties are an insufficient deterrent. Remedies in law are strewn across multiple, arcane pieces of legislation dating back to the 1800s such as the Night Poaching Act of 1828 and the Game Act of 1831. My Bill will seek to remove these and become the defining law for the crime of hare coursing. Moreover, the dogs used in the chase are often exhausted and left for dead and hares are killed senselessly. The government’s own Action Plan for Animal Welfare highlights the need for action in this area. The Action Plan, published in May, is the first of its kind and will revolutionise the treatment of animals.

Richard Fuller, MP for North East Bedfordshire Each year, twenty Members of Parliament are selected at random to introduce a Bill on a subject of their choosing. This year, my name was drawn, and I proposed a Bill to tackle the crime of hare coursing.

We have a proud history in this country on animal welfare. The UK was the first country in the world to pass legislation to protect animals in 1822 with the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act and over the last decade the Government has introduced a range of measures including banning the use of battery cages for laying hens, introducing compulsory CCTV in slaughter houses and raising the maximum sentence for animal cruelty from six months to five years. The Government has also brought in mandatory microchipping for dogs to help reunite lost dogs with their owner; introduced additional protection for service animals through ‘Finn’s Law’ and Lucy’s Law to tackle puppy farming by banning the commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens. In 2019, the Government also outlawed the use of wild animals in circuses. But we know there is more we can do and now that we have left the EU, we have the opportunity to go further. The government’s Action Plan contains upwards of forty valuable reforms which represent the biggest shake up of animal welfare laws for generations. Alongside the Action Plan, my Bill on Hare coursing will seek changes to give the police the tools they need to do the job – for example, as part of a prosecution, to recover and enforce the costs for kennelling of dogs seized from the offenders. It will also seek stronger guidance on sentencing and a higher limit for certain penalties. Over the coming months I will consult with local residents, our local NFU branch, Bedfordshire Police and national animal welfare and rural campaign groups for their input on what I hope will prove to be an effective step in combating this crime. The Second Reading of my Bill will take place on 21 January 2021. If you would like to share your views on this matter, please email me at richard.fuller.mp@ parliament.uk The action plan can be read at https://www.gov.uk/ government/publications/action-plan-for-animal-welfare

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Their mentoring made a huge difference to their students, many of whom have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), or have specialist reading or emotional requirements. The students are young, often vulnerable people aged 16 -19. Many cannot attend mainstream college, so the centre was their chance to access teaching, achieve qualifications, experience independence and reach their true potential. Now, despite their remarkable work in the community, the decision has been made to close Bedford Develop. Develop was informed that their Government funding would be stopped from July this year. Sponsored by the Department of Education, the Education and Skills Funding Agency have taken the decision to stop funding the centre. Not only are the volunteers and employees devastated, but many students and their families have now lost the educational setting they relied on.

Mohammad Yasin, MP for Bedford and Kempston Not-for-profit organisation Bedford Develop has served the local community in Bedford for over 9 years. As a small centre, they offered personalised and high-quality teaching, job coaching and mentoring on a range of courses, from hair and beauty training to functional skills in English, Maths and ICT.

More must be done to fund crucial community teaching organisations such as Develop. Hundreds of other youth centres, public libraries and family hubs across the country have fallen victim to central Government cuts in recent years, amounting to an appalling 17% drop in council spending between 2010 and 2019. Even mainstream schools have faced years of horrendous successive budget cuts, and support for SEND learners is hugely underfunded. In 2019, investment per pupil had dropped by nearly 7%. After being starved of investment, schools are facing breaking point and it is often the teachers, students and communities who bear the brunt of paying for resources. Still, there are many lessons to be taught by Develop Bedford. Something we can all learn from them is that when your neighbours, friends and family support you, we all have the chance to grow. The organisation took matters into their own hands and reached out to potential new investors and launched a powerful grass-roots campaign to help save their centre. Their petition has over 1,200 signatures, and can be found here: chng.it/JXC2qy7BDL . Bedford Borough Council have now secured an alternative placement for each student and, following a question in Parliament on this issue, I am pleased to be meeting with Vicky Ford, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Education, later this month to reiterate why this is such a loss for Bedford. Although bittersweet, it had been heart-warming to see so many people rally around the centre. I am sure that, with the community’s support, all of the students at Develop Bedford will have very bright futures.

Home Counties Loft Ladders, Quality You Can Trust! These days most homeowners suffer from a lack of storage space. So many precious items that need to be kept – but where to store it all? That’s where Home Counties Loft Ladders come in. The company, based locally, offers homeowners the opportunity to maximise their storage space with a loft ladder, 50sqft of boarding and a light - all fully fitted in less than a day from just £355! But it’s not just the affordability of the package that makes Home Counties Loft Ladders stand out, as manager Jamie Oakley explains: ‘Our

watchwords are Quality, Integrity and Value. Quality in the materials that we use for all our installations and the fact that all our loft packages are fitted by time served tradesmen, so our customers are assured of the best job.

- that simply wouldn’t happen if we didn’t adhere to our overriding principles. At the end of the day the old adage that happy customers lead to more happy customers is true and we work hard to make that happen for

every installation we carry out!’ So, if you want to make use of your loft space, call Jamie free on 0808 301 9559 and he’ll be happy to pop round and give you a no obligation quote so you too can make use of your loft!

Integrity in that we will turn up at the time we say and make sure the house is spotless when we leave, and value in that we offer our services at a price people can afford. Our business relies on referrals and we get a huge amount of our calls from people who have been referred to us by our existing customers

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Following COVID-19 Secure Guidelines

FACES – Domestic Abuse Support Volunteers Help to provide support to families who are risk of or who have experienced low-medium risk cases of domestic abuse. You will be supporting a family in their own home in the Bedford area once a week for 2-3 hours and will receive full training to equip you.

Community Led Initiatives – Mentor You will be offering community-based support across Bedfordshire, making a difference in the lives of people who are vulnerable and often disadvantaged. The role will suit a volunteer who is confident, outgoing, positive and resourceful.

Transitions UK – Achieve Sessional Volunteer

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering brings great rewards and your time will be well spent as you support the community around you. We are bringing new opportunities on to our Simply Connect system every week and you can view these and many more at our Simply Connect online facility where you can register as a volunteer and apply. Search for any of this month’s featured roles by adding the name of the organisation into the keyword field on our Simply Connect opportunity search at cvsbeds.org.uk/volunteer

43 Bromham Road, Bedford Call 01234 354 366 or Email: volunteering@cvsbeds.org.uk www.cvsbeds.org.uk 10

Volunteers are wanted at the Achieve Hub in Bedford: in particular, someone to help at weekly skills and development sessions is needed on Thursdays 4.30 – 7.00pm supporting young people with mild to moderate learning disabilities and special needs.

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) – Caseworker A chance to support people in your local community with a military background. A caseworker will talk to clients to work out what type of help they need and then find the right sources of support and arrange for clients to access it.

Bedford Ladies and Girls Football Team – Youth Teams Coach We are looking for coaches to take new teams, and coaches to assist existing teams. We train twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays) at various venues across Bedford, with teams playing matches on Saturday mornings. Whether or not you have been a football coach before, the club can provide support and access to a range of training opportunities from the FA to assist you in your journey.

Family Groups (Bedford) – Finance Trustee Someone with finance knowledge and experience is wanted to join the Family Groups small team of trustees. You will support the Finance Officer by acting as a sounding board and critical friend ensuring continued good financial practices of this women’s support charity. We have just introduced a monthly newsletter highlighting all our new opportunities as they come onboard, and sharing stories and volunteering hints and tips. Subscribe at Volunteer Newsletter | CVS Bedfordshire (cvsbeds.org.uk)

Bedford Daycare Hospice Caring for people with life-limiting illnesses

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As lockdown restrictions are lifted, the team at Sharnbrook ‘Community Sports Centre’ are going the extra mile to help improve both the physical and mental health of its customers and members of the local community. Part of a ‘new look’ grand summer reopening this month - July 24 - (after more than a year of enforced closures), the highly experienced and highly qualified professional management and fitness teams have been working hard to ensure a safe return to members, while also addressing modern needs and requirements, through a number of dedicated new classes, programmes, classes and camps to suit all abilities and age groups. Statistics since the first lockdown suggests 50% of people gained weight, while mental health concerns were also on the rise. Confidence in visiting public spaces and meeting is also low. This has inspired the creation of the sports centre summer programmes: • A dedicated over 60s Summer Camp combining a fitness class and supervised gym session, a hot drink and a few biscuits at the end, helping people to come together. • Lunchtime classes to enable those working from home to stay or become active during the day • Parent and child summer badminton sessions to encourage the younger population to engage with family members in a fun and active way. • Summer teen gym sessions: encouraging those aged 12-15 years to start a healthy habit in a safe and supervised environment. Lisa Holloway, manager for 15 years, and a qualified cardiac rehab/ GP referral instructor, said: “The sports centre, whether it’s using the gym, playing basketball in the sports hall, or football on our new astro pitch, is a place that brings people together. We pride ourselves on creating a warm and friendly atmosphere and a place where people feel comfortable. The pandemic has impacted the physical and mental health of many people, while creating an uncertainty or nervousness from others. We understand that and have designed programmes to address these needs in an environment that is not only safe but sociable. We’re here to support the community.” For more information, please visit www.saf.org/sportscentre or call the team directly on, 01234 783801. Also visit our facebook page and like our posts to keep up to date with latest information.

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Home to over 200 birds of prey and animals, Herrings Green Activity Farm in Wilstead is open daily from 10am – 5pm. A great day out for the whole family; with a daily programme including bird of prey flying displays, pat a pet, animal and critter shows, children’s play equipment, tractor trailer rides, crazy golf and lots more. Tea room, gift shop and ice cream parlour onsite. www.birdsofpreycentre.co.uk

Things to do with the 4 children this summer Box End Aqua Park

The Box End Aqua Park is back for this summer and is even bigger and better than before! Featuring amazing new obstacles and challenges it’s the best summer day out you will have in Bedford. Swing, climb, jump and slide your way around the different obstacles and try to avoid a total Wipeout the amazing new ‘Mega-Slide’ is the biggest vertical drop aqua park slide in the UK. www.boxendpark.com/aqua-park/

Don’t Get Locked In Escape Rooms

With a choice of 6 themed escape rooms Don’t Get Locked In in Bedford town centre offers a fun experience for all the family. The games are perfect for all ages however children aged 12 and over will generally get the most out of the experience. U18’s must be accompanied by an adult. www.dontgetlockedin.com

Herrings Green Activity Farm

The Summer Reading Challenge at Bedford Borough Libraries

The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to enjoy the benefits of reading for pleasure over the summer holidays. This year the fun takes place in Wilderville. It’s a pretty cool place but the heroes who live there have been noticing some problems. Children taking part can collect transformational stickers to add to a fold-out map of Wilderville. Each sticker will fix the environmental problems in each area and make Wilderville a better home for everyone! They can also collect rewards for reading and taking part. www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk

The RSPB Wild Challenge

Wild Challenge is free and fun! All you need to do is create an account and an online profile, and within a few quick and easy steps you’ll be ready to get stuck in to your wild adventure! There are a range of fun activities to choose from and bronze, silver and gold awards to achieve depending on how many you complete. The activities are divided into two sections: Help Nature – making our gardens brilliant homes for nature and our outdoor spaces wonderfully wildlife-friendly!

Experience Nature – getting up close and personal with wildlife and exploring the world of amazing nature right under our noses! Once you have completed each award level, you will receive an exclusive Wild Challenge award certificate and sticker sheet as a little thank you from nature! www.rspb.org.uk

Twinwoods Adventure

Located just north of Bedford, Twinwoods Adventure is an amazing multi-activity adventure site with thrills, activities and facilities for all ages. Including Indoor skydiving, Indoor surfing, Vertigo (a 35m Powerfan descender jump), Simulated driving experience, climbing and an indoor soft play centre, you are guaranteed to find something for everyone. www.twinwoodsadventure.com

Marston Vale Forest Jurassic Week

If you are looking for extra ROAR-SOME fun this summer holiday then Jurassic Week at Marston Vale Forest is just the thing. Running from Monday 2nd to Sat 7th August there will be a Sensory Garden dino hunt trail, games and activities, crafts and themed treats available from the Lakeside Café (see advert on P17) Book via website. www.marstonvale.org/events

Higgins Bedford

Join the Higgins Bedford and Spectrum Community Arts for a summer of free, fun online activities for children and young people with disabilities and/or special educational needs. From Monday 26 July – Monday 23 August you can travel through a series of pre-recorded video workshops filled with movement, music and games themed around transport. All video workshops will be uploaded on the Higgins website

each week of the summer holidays for children and young people to watch at their leisure. www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Whats_on/Family_ Events.aspx

Catch a Family Show at The Place Bedford

Summer is ON at the Place Theatre! You can see ‘Suitcase Shakespeare’ with two actors bringing to like an entire Shakespeare play using only what’s in their suitcase. Fly away for 60 mins with a magical stage adaption of ‘Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens’ (the prequel to Peter Pan) or enjoy a treasure-hunt show giving 11-year-olds an adventure through a strange, magical new world with ‘This Noisy Isle’. There is even a quirky and hilarious mix of puppet show, natural history and comedy cabaret in ‘The Sea Show’ (see advert on P19) For ticket details and further information visit the website. www.theplacebedford.org.uk/shows/

Bedford Treasure Hunt Trail

Are you looking for something to do with family and friends or seeking a fun day out with the kids in Bedford? Then why not explore the town on this selfguided Treasure Hunt themed Treasure Trail. As you follow the Trail route, can you solve the sneaky clues set on existing buildings, permanent features and monuments to discover the location of the buried treasure? The Trail starts at the free riverside car park in Cardington Road and leads you along the banks of the Great River Ouse. You will also explore through parkland and the streets of Bedford town before finishing back at your start point. www.treasuretrails.co.uk/things-to-do/ bedfordshire/bedford

Information correct at time of going to press. Please ensure to check ahead regarding events and opening times before making any journey.

WELCOME TO CANOE TRAIL!

Canoe Trail is an award-winning, family-run business offering canoe, kayak, and SUP hire on the picturesque River Great Ouse. They have a beautiful riverside woodland for paddle and camping trips and a whole host of land-based activities for corporate groups though to stag parties, hen do and youth provision. We also run a wide range of training courses for canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddle boarding. Experience the same sense of adventure further afield in the UK and overseas with our canoe trips. You can hire all types of Canoes, Kayaks, and Stand-Up Paddle Boards for your next paddling adventure. Choose your boat and book a half-day or full-day trip on the River Great Ouse. Why not book your child’s place on one of our Adventure School days this summer holiday? Based at Kempston Outdoor Centre, they will learn adventure skills, take part in water sports activities, have fun, and make new friends. They will also use life skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. Designed for children aged 6-13yrs, this summer holiday club is designed to provide a stepping stone for young people to learn water sports like canoeing and kayaking, and develop confidence. For more information visit www.canoetrail.co.uk/youth-activities/adventure-school

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creating memories Charity Registration Number. 1189423

Create Your Own Chocolate

COMPETITION If you are a child aged 8 or over, with special life-limiting conditions, you can take part in our ‘design your own chocolate’ competition for the chance to visit a real chocolate factory! Judges - Bedfordshire award-winning chocolatier - 5/5 AA Rosette and multi Michelin star award-winning chef Pritti Saggi - Founder of Creating Memories Competition closes Friday 1 September 2021

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Learn French at home New members are welcome to join French daytime and evening classes on Zoom. Individual lessons are also available. Please see the website or call for details.

Thea Hughes BA (Hons) MA

www.frenchinbeds.org 07941 869424

AL FRESCO FAMILY SHOWS – THIS SUMMER AT THE PLACE OUTDOORS 27, 28 & 29 JULY

SUITCASE SHAKESPEARE Suitable for all aged 6 to 106; two actors bring to life an entire Shakespeare play using only what’s in their suitcases! £15/£10/£32 7 AUG

PETER PAN IN KENSINGTON GARDENS Fly away for 60 minutes with a magical stage adaptation of J.M.Barrie’s prequel to Peter Pan. £15/£10/£32 14 &15 AUG

THIS NOISY ISLE

Anna Humphreys

A treasure-hunt show giving 7-11 year-olds an adventure through a strange, magical new world.

Worried about lockdown gaps in your child’s Maths and English?

£10 20 AUG

Calm, friendly tuition with an experienced teacher for Primary age children.

THE SEA SHOW Quirky and hilarious mix of puppet show, natural history and comedy cabaret.

Email: annahtutoring@gmail.com

PAY WHAT YOU CAN

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See website for further ticket details: www.theplacebedford.org.uk/tickets or call the box office on 01234 354321

ALL ABOARFuDn Ac! tivities

Free Virtual Summer Holiday 26 JULY - 23 AUGU ST

Join Spectrum Community Arts and The Higgins Bedford for a series of video workshops with movement, music, games and transport themed fun! Aimed at children and young people with disabilities and additional needs.

Visit www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk to find out more. Part of Bedford Borough Council’s

#SummerofSEND

To advertise with us, please contact christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk

Summer Reading Challenge Coming soon to Bedford Borough Libraries…the Wild World Heroes Summer Reading Challenge 2021! This year the fun takes place in Wilderville. It’s a pretty cool place but our heroes who live there have been noticing some problems. Helped by their trusted animal companions, they’re ready to take action to save the natural world! Wild World Heroes Summer Reading Challenge starts on Saturday 10th July and finishes on Saturday 11th September. Children taking part can collect transformational stickers to add to a fold-out map of Wilderville. Each sticker will fix the environmental problems in each area and make Wilderville a better home for everyone! Children can also collect rewards for reading and taking part.

How the Challenge works • Children sign up at their local library and receive a Wild World Heroes collector poster. • Children borrow and read at least six library books of their choice during the summer, collecting special stickers to complete their poster plus extra incentives along the way. They can choose the books they want to read; story books, fact books, poetry, joke books – as long as they are library books all reading counts! • Library staff and volunteers are on hand to talk to children about the books they have read*.

Look out for details about how to sign up for Wild World Heroes on the Virtual Library website www.virtual-library.culturalservices.ne and our Facebook page @BedfordshireLibraries

• Children who complete the Summer Reading Challenge are presented with a certificate and a medal. *Government restrictions permitting

Bedford Boot Camps launches Little Bandits – a brand new

assault course and fitness camp for children this summer!

Saturday 3 July saw the launch of Little Bandits – an exciting children’s summer camp run by the award-winning Bedford Boot Camps. Group outdoor health and fitness continues to makes a strong comeback after the pandemic, and this latest venture is part of Boot Camps’ drive to deliver high quality physical and mental health support to families in Bedford. Camille Angol set up her business in 2011 to help men and women achieve fitness and weight loss goals quicker than ever before. After years spent noticing how well the members’ children took to boot camp-style workouts, she decided to expand her business to create a fitness camp specially for children aged 7 to 13 during the summer holidays. “The idea behind the Bandits was to dust off the cobwebs lockdown has left on some of the children,” Camille explains. “We began advertising slowly and realised just how important this could be for children’s mental health. Parents were wanting not only to increase their physical activity levels and strength but to address lost confidence, increased anxiety and negative conscious body image after lockdown weight gain.” “This summer, we felt it was time to introduce the children to the Camps as official members. From the start, the Camps have very much been family focused. I’ve loved having the children come along to the main Camps, watch their parents train, take part and be motivated to achieve their health and fitness goals. Little Bandits felt like a natural next step.” Little Bandits have full access to a 17-piece outdoor assault course. The obstacles were all made by hand and are the first of their kind to be made available to children in Bedford. They include an impressive 8ft A-frame and 10-bar

metal monkey frame, four wooden walls to climb, over and under bars, tyre runs, long cargo crawl, hay bale stack, spider net and a fun 10-metre slip and slide to finish. Sessions are designed to build confidence and self-belief through teamwork, as well as improving fitness, strength and mental determination. They include highintensity games, strength exercises, healthy eating talks and culminate in the obstacle course. Camille says: “As a trainer it’s great to see my clients achieve. Now I’m living it through the little ones. I’d definitely encourage Bandits to join the programme and come along regularly so they can see themselves improve and achieve goals they never thought were possible. We’re hoping to finish the programme by taking the children to a mud run. Fingers crossed we can make that happen before they head back to school in September!”

Little Bandits train at Jubilee Park every Saturday and some weekdays throughout the summer holidays. Tickets cost £7 per session per child and are available from www.bedfordbootcamps.co.uk/ childrens-assault-course/

Autumn Term at

Why not give some of these a try! • Weekend Upholstery • Linoprinting • Drypoint Etching • Wax Melt & Candle Making • Watercolour Sticks • Crochet • Macrame • Glass Terraruim • Studio Pottery

Fancy learning a brand new skill? • Introduction to Upholstery - 5 Week course • Introduction to Sewing - 6 Week course • Introduction to Stained Glass - 10 Week course

We also run courses and workshops in

Bookmaking - Printmaking - Calligraphy Dressmaking - Life Drawing - Drawing & Painting

Raleigh House, Ampthill Road, Bedford. MK42 9HE

Did you know we run Saturday Workshops?

Book online now www.bedfordcraftcentre.co.uk

FOREVER FASHION

The UK sends 300,000 tonnes of textiles to landfill every year, yet ‘fast fashion’ is hard to resist as we seek to live out our wildest sartorial dreams. The solution is to focus on sustainability:

Only buy what you love

Tempting as it may be to buy new clothes every payday, you may find more fulfilment in the long-term by saving up and investing in pieces that will last and that you will treasure for years to come. Remember, true style is timeless.

Invest in vintage

The beauty of good quality fabric is that it lasts. From super-soft cashmere jumpers to impeccably cut denim jeans and piles of retro tees that get better with every wash, vintage shops are the affordable antidote to throwaway fashion.

Seek ‘circular-minded’ brands

As there is clearly a market for synthetic fabric in fashion, it makes perfect sense that plastic marked for landfill – such as cola bottles, shopping bags and food packaging – is diverted to be transformed into shoes, coats, and workout wear.

Consider provenance

Find eco-fabrics

If your new t-shirt cost less than a cup of coffee, you can bet that there are compromises being made during the manufacturing process. Fortunately, several leading fashion brands are becoming more transparent about how and where their clothes are made. Just do a little more homework.

Tencel (made from sustainably sourced natural raw material wood), Econyl (regenerated nylon) and Piñatex (a leather alternative made from the leaf waste of pineapples) are just three examples of sustainable fabrics that are set to shape the future of fashion.

Summe r

S a l e Now On !

Genuin eR on this S eductions eason’s Stock

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Claytons at Hatters, 532 Goldington Road, Bedford, MK41 0DX • T: 01234 352429 Mon to Sat 9am - 5.30pm & Sun 10.30am - 4.30pm www.claytonsonline.co.uk • Ample FREE parking

PLUS up to 75% OFF Women’s Shoe Sale

NO MEAN FEET

Why our humble feet may be the lynchpin to overall physical health. Miles of pounding the pavements in sweaty running shoes, evenings spent strutting around bars in pinching high heels and long work shifts in flat loafers all take their toll on your feet.

Choosing shoes that have a wide toe box and arch support will take pressure off your bunions, while calf stretches may also improve them as well. Otherwise, your best option is foot surgery.

But while you may be familiar with many podiatry ailments such as corns, calluses and blisters, your foot alignment could be affecting other areas of your body as well.

Flat Feet

It may come as some surprise to realise that many of our joint ailments are caused by ill-fitting footwear, whether that is a lack of support, a too-narrow fit, or heels that contort your bones. In short, your passion for fashion may be sparking a chain reaction all through your body that causes constant discomfort and pain. With all that in mind, surely it’s time to get some harmony back into your body.

Misaligned feet problems and how to fix them Bunions Presenting on either the outer side of the big toe or less commonly the little toe (bunionette), bunions are a bony lump created by the metatarsal either enlarging or moving outwards. Caused by either wearing shoes that are too narrow or too high, tight calf muscles or feet that tilt either inwards or outwards, they can become incredibly painful and swollen.

Either inherent or caused by a collapsed arch, flat feet can lead to numerous problems throughout the body. Less able to absorb shock, flat feet can leave you more vulnerable to shin splints, inflamed Achilles tendons and general knee discomfort. Wearing insoles specifically designed for the condition, or specialised orthotics, can greatly improve not only foot discomfort, but general alignment throughout the body.

Heel Pain Plantar fasciitis, or inflammation of the plantar fascia – the strong bowstring-like ligament that runs from the heel to the tip of the foot – causes pain not only in the heel, but also in the middle of the foot and muscle cramps in the calves. This is often the result of repetitive stress and pounding from walking or running due to poor foot alignment. While anti-inflammatory medications will help soothe discomfort, true relief will only come from orthotics or exercises that stretch the tendons and strengthen the lower leg muscles creating strength and stability in the ankle and heel.

Future-edge Therapy are Bedfordshire’s top trauma specialists treating PTSD, trauma, grief, anxiety, stress, fears and phobia. We work face-to-face in our office based at Bedford Heights, Brickhill Road, Bedford, MK40 7PH. We offer the following therapies:

• Brainspotting • Neuro-Linguistic Programming • Timeline Therapy • Hypnotherapy • IEMT • Rewind Therapy • EMDR & Flash EMDR • Kinetic Shift To support women, Bonita has created The Anxiety Recovery School, a FREE Facebook group designed to support women who suffer from anxiety, stress and trauma. This positive group focusses on teaching techniques and strategies to deal with daily overwhelm and support each other, learn and grow together. Join the community NOW and search for The Anxiety Recovery School in Facebook.

• Muscle Relaxing Injections (BOTOX) • Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) • Slimming Injections (Skinny Jab) • Lip Enhancement • Dermal Fillers • Radiesse Jawline/Cheek Lift • PDO Threadlifts

www.urlgeni.us/facebook/PawTheAnxietyRecoverySchool

• Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy • Neostrata Chemical Peels

Contact details:

• Neostrata Skin Care Range

Join now using the link below:

Tel: 07970 011 235 Web: www.future-edgetherapy.co.uk Email: bonita@future-edgetherapy.co.uk @FutureEdgetherapy @TheAnxietyRecoverySchool @future_edge_

future_edge_therapy Bonita Ackerman du Preez

Roz Lee RGN/BSc (hons) Specialist Nurse Practitioner TEL: 01234 750454 MOB: 07725 869240 www.enhancecosmeticsolutions.co.uk CQC Registered C=48 M=0 Y=5 K=0 R 137, G 209, B 237 #89d1ed

C=65 M=70 Y=0 K=0 R 116, G 90, B 163 #745aa3

https://www.dafont.com/anglo-saxon.font The text in the logo ‘Saxon’ uses Anglo-Saxon Caps regular, available in capitals only. https://fonts.adobe.com/fonts/rig-shaded The text in the logo ‘Footcare’ uses Rig Shaded Bold Face, available in capitals only. https://www.dafont.com/geo-sans-light.font The text in the strapline uses GeosansLight Regular

Website & Body System - Century Gothic System - Verdana

https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Muli We suggest using Muli for the website and large areas of body text. It comes in italic and bold variations. Century Gothic and Verdana are system fonts which are common and widely available on most computers. This font should be used on Word and Powerpoint templates when the other fonts are unavailable.

We are a family friendly HCPC registered Podiatry clinic based in Harrold. Relocated to a bigger premises, after 19 years, as Mary Marsh Chiropody Clinic, in Irchester.

Nail Care

Verrucae (Microwave Therapy from Swift)

Treatment of Corns & Calluses

Diabetic Assessment

Fungal Nail Treatments

Biomechanical Assessment

For all your Footcare needs, get in touch today to book an appointment with our team. 01234 984444 59 High Street Harrold MK43 7BH

info@saxonfootcare.co.uk www.saxonfootcare.co.uk SaxonFootcare

To advertise with us, please contact christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk

Sizzling summer reads Lose yourself this summer within the pages of these thrilling fictional offerings.

No Such Thing As Perfect by Emma Hughes Finding herself in a bit of a rut, Laura Morrison seizes the chance to trial Cupid, a high-tech new dating service which will draw on everything she’s ever done online to find her perfect match. Along comes the handsome and charming Adam, but as things start to fall apart Laura may have to accept that the path to true love never runs smoothly. Published by Century on August 5 Triflers Need Not Apply by Camilla Bruce Based on the true story of Belle Gunness, whose murderous rampage began in Chicago in 1900, Triflers Need Not Apply is a novelistic tour de force exploring one woman’s determination to pay men back for all they have taken. Deliciously dark and enthralling, Norwegian novelist Camilla Bruce perfectly captures not only the atmosphere and mystique of early 20th century Chicago, but also the ruthlessness and fury of her female protagonist. Published by Michael Joseph on August 5 Underbelly by Anna Whitehouse Journalist and co-founder of Motherpukka (a website for people who happen to be parents) Anna Whitehouse makes her first foray into fiction with Underbelly, a book that refuses to shy away from the problems and preconceptions that modern mothers face. From middle-class privilege, perfectly polished Instagram posts and armchair activism, this is a fictional ode to the modern era. Published by Orion on August 5 28

A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins Paula Hawkins is back with her third thriller – after The Girl on the Train and Into the Water. A Slow Fire Burning is about three women: Laura, who is seen as a troubled loner; Miriam, who knows that just because Laura is seen leaving the scene of a horrific murder it doesn’t mean she’s a killer; and Carla, who is reeling from the brutal murder of her nephew. Potent from the first page, this bristles with all the twisty thrills and dark surprises we have come to expect from Hawkins. Published by Penguin on August 31 Billy Summers by Stephen King A killer for hire, Billy is a criminal with a conscience who will only take a contract if he deems his target a truly bad person – and with one more hit before he can retire, Billy’s morals are about to be pushed to the limit. This spectacular is part war story, part love letter to small town America and the people who live there, with a complex hero looking for one last shot at redemption. King at his finest. Published by Hodder & Stoughton on August 3

Retired Inspired Ready for life’s greatest reward?

Elderswell, a brand new retirement village, coming soon to Turvey Beat the queues, register your interest now!

Email sales@elderswell.co.uk or visit elderswell.co.uk

Browns of Stagsden... A proper farm shop on a proper working family run farm

Stop at Stagsden for all your local produce Home reared/local meat & poultry Fruit/vegetables. Homemade pies

TEA ROOM & GARDEN NOW OPEN

OPENING TIMES: Tues-Sat 10-3pm

01234 822330

www.brownsofstagsden.co.uk info@brownsofstagsden.co.uk Manor Farm, Stagsden MK43 8SH

Local deliveries also available

Hill Farm Shop Buy the Best - Buy Local Meet the team: Jeanette and Mick Hurley on their family farm

eat We b ets on rk a rm ten supe ty & of i l a o u o q et pric

Prim eb from eef happ our y cat tle

OPENING TIMES

Thursday & Friday 9am-5.30pm Saturday 9am-4pm Sunday 9am-12 noon

Home reared beef, local pork, lamb, free-range chicken and eggs, milk and honey All meat reared on farms with guaranteed traceability and no added hormones British, continental and local cheese, bacon, pork pies, pâté, cured meats, olives No time to cook? We have homemade pies, curries and hotpots using our own beef

01234 781405 / 07834 257928 mjhurley@btinternet.com Visit us at www.hillfarmshop.com Follow us on Facebook Hill Farm Shop

Hill Farm, Mill Road, Sharnbrook MK44 1NP

Please mention bedslife when responding to adverts

'The Lakeside' at Moor End Our exclusive lakeside beauty spot situated in Radwell, North Bedfordshire is a 'blank canvas' site, surrounded by lush green meadows, giving you choice with our preferred suppliers on the style and size of structure you dream of. The team behind the Lakeside includes experts in stunning food, delicious wine, bar services, outdoor wedding planning and event management. The key ingredients for a perfect day! If this sounds like the ideal location for your wedding or celebration for 2022 and beyond then please email; thelakesidemoorend@gmail.com

We can't wait to welcome you! Follow us on Instagram & Facebook @thelakesideatmoorend (Photography by Johnwoodwardphotography)

To advertise with us, please contact christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk

The Composing Cook The Composing Cook

BISCUIT LOG CAKE

INGREDIENTS: For The Biscuit Log Cake Approximately 200g worth of Mars Bar chocolate, roughly chopped 1 tablespoon golden syrup 50g unsalted butter 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 medium egg, beaten 375g digestive biscuits 100g dried apricots, chopped into quarters

My no bake Biscuit Log Cake is so easy; you have to make it to believe it. Can I just say, this is so delicious, one slice is never enough.

Lightly grease a loaf tin measuring approximately: 21.5 x 11 x 6.5cms.

To Decorate 300ml double cream small piece chilled Mars Bar to grate

Place Mars Bars, golden syrup, butter and cinnamon into a saucepan, stir over a low heat until melted and blended. Remove from heat, allow to rest for 1 minute, add egg and beat until smooth.

Serves 10

Place the digestive biscuits into a bag and bash with a rolling pin so you end up with a mixture of big bits, small bits and rubble. Add the digestive biscuits, along with the apricots, to the melted chocolate mixture and mix well. Transfer to your loaf tin, pressing down firmly and evenly. Smooth the top as best you can. Place in fridge, ideally over night, but if you can’t wait that long, at least 5 hours. When ready to serve, remove log cake from fridge and dip the tin into hot water (avoiding the water touching the cake) for 10 seconds and turn cake out onto your serving dish. Whip the double cream until light and fluffy and smear all over the cake. To finish, grate over the small piece of reserved Mar Bar. Cut into slices and enjoy.

You can watch me make this log cake, amongst many others, by visiting my YouTube Channel, The Composing Cook. Just head over to: www.YouTube.com/TheComposingCook and there you will find me. Happy Cooking.

Orchid

HAIR & BEAUTY BY VINCENZINA BARTOLOMEO EXPRESS PACKAGE 1

Facial Manicure Pedicure Eyebrow wax and eyelash tint £70

EXPRESS PACKAGE 2

Massage Manicure Pedicure Eyebrow wax and eyelash tint £70

REIKI HEALING AVAILABLE ANYONE BOOKING IN AUGUST AND SEPT WILL BE ENTERED TO WIN A HAIR & BEAUTY EXPRESS PACKAGE

CUSTOMER LOYALTY CARDS AND GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

190 Tyne Crescent, Bedford MK41 7YL

Tel 07873 151770

õ YOGA õ To improve and maintain health – One Hour Class - £5 a class Please bring a mat. Email to book. Fully qualified and insured experienced teacher

Mondays 10.30am Higgins Museum, nr Swan Hotel, Bedford MK40 3XD Mondays 2.00pm Priory Methodist Church, 63 Newnham Ave Bedford MK41 9QJ Free Parking

Tuesdays 6.30pm Haynes Village Hall MK45 3QB Free Parking

Thursdays 6.15pm Cotton End Village Hall MK45 3AU Free Parking

June Hannigan. Text/Tel: 07551290364 email: juandhannigan@yahoo.co.uk

LEVEL 3 MASSAGE CERTIFICATE 2020

Aromatherapy Within the relaxing surroundings of Ravensden, Bedford, Call to enquire: 07491149674 Back Massage £10 Full Body Massage £15 Facial with mask £10

To advertise with us, please contact christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk

FatCap Smokehouse Summer is here, the sun is shining and it is so good to see the restaurants of Bedfordshire back in the swing of things. None more so than FatCap Smokehouse who have just celebrated their 2nd birthday and are busier than ever! Owners, Emma and Tony, built FatCap from a love for authentic Texan BBQ which they learnt all about whilst roadtrippin’ through America. Expect big flavours and the warmest of welcomes when you head down to Castle Lane and find out just how good it is for yourself! If you order one thing, make sure it’s the St Louis Ribs. Big thick ribs from the belly cooked low ‘n’ slow till they’re falling apart. Make sure you go hungry and order the FatCap Feast, upgrade your fries to the loaded tater tots and thank me later. Make sure to order a cocktail or 2, my personal favourites are the Cherry Bakewell and Whisky Sour. And don’t worry, there are veggie options too! Open Wednesday to Sunday, bookings are strongly advised. Head down on the weekend and try out the Bottomless Brunch, 90 mins of free flowing booze and the Feast all for £35. It would be rude not to…

Find me on Instagram at @lydeatsfood for more local foodie finds!

Have Your Say on the Future of Your Borough

Local plans set out where growth and development will take place – everything from homes and jobs to schools and infrastructure.

Have your say on the future of the borough by 3rd September 2021. For further information: • Visit www.bedford.gov.uk/LocalPlan2040 • Look out for the leaflet being delivered to your home Come along and talk to us at one of our drop in sessions Wednesday 14th July, Saturday 17th July, Wednesday 28th July, Sunday 1st August, Wednesday 11th August, Saturday 21st August. All sessions will be held 11am – 2pm in The Howard Centre, Bedford (by the indoor entrance to TKMaxx)

£25

Bumper Prize Crossword Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this section and send to the address below before Friday 13th August Prize Crossword, BedsLife, 17 Foxbrook, Stevington, Bedfordshire MK43 7QY Last Months Crossword Winner – Ian Greaves, Bedford

For last months answers please turn to P74

Across

1 Number of musicians in an octet (5) 4 Derive, deduce by reason (6) 9 Snake (7) 10 Corn (5) 11 Sound reflection, repetition (4) 12 Circular, flyer (7) 13 Female deer (3) 14 King ____, Shakespearean play (4) 16 Nemo’s forgetful friend! (4) 18 Secret agent (3)

Name:

Address:

20 Small, fast dog (7) 21 Celebrity, idol (4) 24 Indiginous people of New Zealand (5) 25 Culinary herb (7) 26 Toboggan (6) 27 48th Vice President of the US Mike _____ (5)

Down

1 Festival celebrating Christ’s resurrection (6) 2 Circumference (5) Tel:

3 Expedition (4) 5 Northern Italian region (8) 6 Cooling cabinet (7) 7 Accord, alliance, settlement (6) 8 Fashion, flair (5) 13 Rendered fat from roasted meat (8) 15 Chapter, installment (7) 17 Marshlands, everglades (6) 18 Footrest (5) 19 Furrow, corrugation (6) 22 Exercise, work out (5) 23 Small military 4x4 (4)

Countrywear

NEW SPRING/SUMMER

fashion available in store and online!

www.lodgeway-countrywear.co.uk

01462 816122 OPEN: TUES-SAT 10:00am-4:30pm Chicksands, Shefford, Beds SG17 5QB

Sharnbrook House Care Home is set in the picturesque village of Sharnbrook in Bedfordshire and we specialise in high-quality residential care. The team at Sharnbrook House are exceptional and wholly committed to providing the very best care. They are loving, caring, compassionate and have all been selected because they genuinely care and treat our residents with the respect and dignity that they deserve. Please call us on 01234 781294 to arrange a Virtual Viewing of Sharnbrook House to ensure you know it is the right home for you and your loved one. Or e-mail sharnbrook@greensleeves.org.uk for any other information or to request a brochure. Sharnbrook House, High Street, Sharnbook, Bedfordshire MK44 1PB Greensleeves Homes Trust is a registered charity in England & Wales No 1060478

www.greensleeves.org.uk

To advertise with us, please contact christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk

What’sOn

JAMAICAN INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS Saturday 7th August 12noon – 6pm Harpur Square, Town Centre, Bedford MK40 1RA Featuring live bands, singers, DJ’s, Dancers & Jerk Food, Rum Punch PLUS more! Free Community Event. TABLE TOP SWAP SHOP 2021 Saturday 7th August 10am – 12pm The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road, Bedford Fancy a few bargains? Happening outdoors, using social distancing, the Table Top Swap Shop is a safe and fun way to pick up some Summer bargains. FOSTER HILL CEMETERY SUMMER GUIDED WALKS Meet at the Chapel 10 minutes before the start of the walk. Foster Hill Road, Bedford MK41 7TD The walks are free but a small contribution to the Friends would be welcome. Sunday 8th August – Crime and Punishment 2pm – 3.30pm The Crime and Punishment tour take you on an interesting journey through Bedford’s 19th Century criminal past, visiting various graves in the cemetery that include an innovative Prison Governor, a murder victim and a policeman. Sunday 8th August – General Heritage 2.30pm – 4pm This walk will try to cover all aspects of the cemetery’s life (or death). It will look at military memorials, complete family groups, local worthies, children and just curious ones. You will learn how and why the cemetery came into existence, its organisation and its future. www.fosterhillroadcemetery.co.uk BEDFORD RECORD FAIR Saturday 21st August 9am – 3.30pm The Harpur Suite, Bedford MK40 1LE Expect to see traders from all over the UK – specially handpicked from the VIP Music fairs circuit. BEDS & NORTHANTS MS THERAPY CENTRE MONTHLY CHARITY SALE Third Saturday of every month 10am – 12.00 noon 155 Barkers Lane, Bedford MK41 9RX

FREE PARKING. Clothing, Bric a Brac, Books, Linen, Toys and Games Refreshments available Tel: 01234 325781 www.mscentrebedsandnorthants.com

BEDFORD CRAFT MARKET AT ST. PAULS SQUARE Saturday 22nd August 10am – 3.30pm St Paul’s Square, Bedford MK40 1SQ Amazing smells, personalised gifts, knitwear, plants, baked goods and much more! Free parking in council run car parks on Sundays. ANIMAL EDGE – PICNIC AT THE FARM Sunday 8th August 3 Fox Covert Farm Fordfield Road, Bedford MK45 2HZ Entertainment from Magician Krisgar, Meet and Feed the Animals, Pony Rides and more. To book Tickets visit www.animaledge.co.uk POPPIES AT THE MILL Saturday 21st August 10am – 7pm Jordans Mill, Holme Mills, Langford Road, Broom, Biggleswade SG18 9JY A jam packed day of entertainment to celebrate Royal British Legion’s 100th Centenary, filled with the sounds of local music artists and entertainers; ranging from pipe bands to choral groups. Admission to this event is free; opportunities to make donations to Royal British Legion will be available throughout the day. AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND MUSIC FESTIVAL Saturday 28th August to Monday 30th August The Knife & Cleaver, The Grove, Houghton Conquest MK45 3LA LIVE MUSIC ALL WEEKEND. The best singers and bands are coming to The Knife & Cleaver this bank holiday weekend!! Dance the night away in the outdoor terrace with a pimms bar and bespoke bar menu. Think flame grilled BBQ and stone baked pizzas.The perfect festival food. Tel 01234 930789 To list an event in the September issue please email christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk by Friday 13th August Due to COVID-19 event information is being updated frequently and events may be cancelled or postponed. Please ensure you check ahead before visiting any event listed.

DEBORAH

MOBILE HAIRDRESSER BEDFORD

Perms, Cuts, Colours - highlights etc Special Occasions and Wedding Hair

01234 210337 07976 394798 Deborah mobile hairdresser yell (Bedford)

Sydney Howard Lovell Memorial Almshouses at Oakley

The Lovell Homes is a small independent living community comprising two bedroomed bungalows and one/two bedroomed flats. Applicants over the age of 60 are invited to apply to go on to the register of interest for a property - priority will be given to those with an agricultural or related background. If you would like to be considered please visit the website: www.lovellhomesoakley.co.uk or contact the Clerk: Mandy Newton on 07736 466965

Registered Charity Number: 200480

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MILKYS MUSIC MATTERS FOCUS ON UPCOMING BEDFORD GIGS Woah…wait, what happened there ? That wasn’t the plan, restrictions were meant to have lifted in June but Covid struck its great big beak into our lives once again and sent us scuttling back to re-plan, rearrange and re-dream. Normality creeps closer, keep believing people, we will see and hear the return of live music soon. Once of the biggest issues was trying to reschedule the inaugural CEREMONY festival at Esquires and we have now landed on the new date of Bank Holiday Sunday 29th August with a line-up comprising of Billy NoMates, Pins, JOHN (times two), Crows, FEET, Talk Show, Bleach Lab, Regressive Left, Lynks, Grandmas

House, Low Girl and Enjoyable Listens. There is also a stage directly outside the venue curated by BLENDER with performances from Enne, JW Paris, Viddy, Banton and more. Doors open midday with bands playing until 11pm with an aftershow party kicking off straight afterwards through til 3am. Tickets are on sale now and cost £22.50 + booking fee from seetickets.com. Physical tickets from Esquires and Slide Record shop. The local promoters have been working hard to secure bookings with the best of the new bands across a variety of genres whilst also continuing to work with heritage acts and established indie bands keen to return to the best (below 300 capacity) venue in the country (Esquires is on your doorstep people – come say Hi!)

COMING UP, COMING UP Spiky Brighton female trio Dream Wife return to Esquires in August bringing their mix of danceable punk pop and riot grrrl attitude in what is a coup as they have been playing larger venues of late. If you want to catch the potential next-big-thing on your doorstep then look no further than Yorkshire teens

SUPPORT THE BEDFORD LIVE SCENE – UPCOMING GIGS FOR YOUR DIARY Restrictions have lifted (hopefully), let’s get gigging!!! Esquires Fri 6th Aug Sun 8th Aug Sun 15th Aug Fri 20th Aug Sat 21st Aug Sun 22nd Aug Sat 28th Aug Sun 29th Aug Wed 1st Sept Thur 2nd Sept Sat 4th Sept Wed 8th Sept Fri 10th Sept Sat 11th Sept Sun 12th Sept Fri 17th Sept Sat 18th Sept Sat 25th Sept Wed 29th Sept Thur 30th Sept

Guns 2 Roses Dream Wife Josh O’Keefe Sarpa Salpa Noasis Gene Loves Jezebel Katy J Pearson CEREMONY #1 all-day multi-room festival The Lounge Society The Goa Express Mark Morriss Outer Stella Overdrive Skinnyman Lady Bird The Smyths Spear of Destiny The Futureheads The Meteors Yard Act October Drift

Bedford Park concerts Thur 9th Sept Fri 10th Sept Sat 11th Sept Sun 12th Sept

Ocean Colour Scene + Dodgy Olly Murs Cafe Mambo Ibiza Proms in the Park

+ many more Check listings at bedfordesquires.com for details or facebook.com/bedfordesquires Tickets available from Esquires, Slide Record Shop and online – seetickets.com

The Lounge Society – a band on a lot of tipsters lips & lists and have been all over the radio in July with their ‘Silk for the Starving’ EP receiving heavy airplay. “Our lyrics are a call-to-arms for people who share our dismay at the dismal future being carved out for people like us,” the band explain. “We want each line to be a brick through the window of just the right people.” Also in the “catch them in a small venue while you can” bracket – The Goa Express, hailing from the Calder Valley towns of Todmorden and Burnley on the borders of Lancashire and Yorkshire, the five-piece are yet another hotly tipped outfit to emerge from the area’s vibrant music scene alongside The Orielles, Working Men’s Club, and the afore-mentioned Lounge Society. Recent single ‘Second Time’ was mixed by Mark Gardener of RIDE and delivers an infectious hooky, hazy jangle alongside a chorus that will take up squatter’s rights in your brain (also check out previous single Be My Friend – an indie classic in waiting).

Famous sibling whisper whisper… the singer (Raff Law) in Outer Stella Overdrive looks very much like his dad, a famous British actor with the first name Jude and the drummer Rudy Albarn is the nephew of that Damon bloke in that band that Oasis didn’t like much. Come catch their boisterous show that fuses the sound of Libertines scuzz to ska and back (check the Bad Times video on YouTube – directed by Sadie Frost). Another highly tipped band, Yard Act stand out from the crowd by offering a combination of angular guitar licks and snarky lyricism barked rather than sung and their singles are like bitcoin iced with gold dust. October Drift make a long overdue (damn you covid x 200) return to Esquires, with a heavy ‘90s influence, they blend the jangly sounds of shoegaze and the dirty, quiet-loud dynamic of U.S. grunge with catchy melodies and depressing vocals reminiscent of Joy Division. Keep music live, Milky. 41

78–82 Bromham Road, Bedford MK40 2QH

Tel: 01234 360 510 www.ageukbedfordshire.org.uk

Home Help Service

dfordshire

Throughout Be

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We put your safety first at ALL times Fully trained and supervised Home Helps. Thorough vetting and DBS checks on all workers. Regular daily or weekly visits to suit your needs. A variety of payment methods including monthly invoicing.

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(with a little bit of history and science thrown in!) Eleni Fantis, Omorfia Interior Design Colour quandaries when decorating, whether it’s paint, tile, flooring, or furnishings, are probably the most common dilemmas that we all go through at some point – I am still scarred from the memory of painting my dining room three times in five days until I got the exact tone of blue that was in my head!

It’s important to remember, when faced with the thousands of options available in, for example, DIY stores’ paint-mixing departments, that you are only considering which one of seven colours of the spectrum to use… yes, you read that right – you are simply choosing one of seven colours and then deciding on a tone or shade of that colour. The colour wheel (developed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666) goes further in its visual representation of 12 colours, split into warm and cool shades and made up of three primary colours, three secondary colours (created by mixing two primaries) and six tertiary colours (created from a mix of a primary and a secondary colour). The wheel is used in a vast number of industries and arts; in interior design it illustrates which hues coordinate well, depending on the type of scheme you are going for. Broadly speaking, your room colour palette will be either ‘Harmonious’ (using two adjacent colours on the wheel), ‘Tonal’ or ‘Monochromatic’ (using various shades of the same colour), or ‘Contrasting’ (using colours opposite each other on the wheel). I always advocate that your home should reflect your personal likes and dislikes, and that you shouldn’t feel constricted by trends or design ‘rules’. There are, however, considerations that you should follow to maximise your homes potential and your love for it:

Light and Direction Light, both natural and artificial, is key to how colours appear to us; in north-facing rooms, the light entering is cool/blueish causing lighter colours to look subdued – bold colours will, therefore, show up better. In a south-facing room, the natural light will enhance both cool and warm colours. With an eastfacing rooms, the light changes from a warm yellowy tone in the morning to a bluer tone later in the day – these rooms work well with oranges, yellows, and reds. Finally, a west-facing room will have little light in the morning, making colours appear dull and flat, but they benefit from a beautiful warm light in the evening when even neutrals will seem to come alive and glow.

sometimes subconsciously, to a particular colour, and your wardrobe (especially if arranged in blocks of colour) will show you this. Is there a colour that dominates or is your go-to choice when you are fed up or can’t decide what to wear?

You should also consider your artificial light sources – especially since in the UK, we have long winters and some overcast, grey days even in summer. With the phasing out of incandescent and halogen bulbs, most bulbs now are LEDs. These are available in both cool and warm tones as well as ‘smart’ options that are wirelessly controlled and allow you to mimic the colour of the morning sun or an evening sunset.

2. Take inspiration from something you already own – or would love to own! This could be anything from a favourite mug, a piece of art you admire or your neighbour’s car!

So now you have a brief guide to the science of colour, how do you translate that into choosing a colour palette?

4. Instead of using paint testers on your wall, paint an A4 or A3 white foam board or piece of card. This allows you to move the sample around the room, checking

1. Open your wardrobe! People are often drawn,

3. Consider what must stay in the room such as flooring, sofa, or curtains and from there, decide on whether you want a harmonious, tonal, or contrasting scheme.

the colour in different spots and at various times of the day. (This also stops your room looking like a patchwork quilt by the time you decide on a colour!) 5. Consider the psychological effects of colours (e.g., red is energising, blue is tranquil), the purpose of the room, and whether your home needs to appeal to others – if you are thinking of selling your home soon, a red and orange bathroom is probably not in your best interests, no matter how much you love it! Omorfia Interior Design is based in Bedfordshire and offer a range of interior design services, with packages that can be tailored to clients’ needs and budgets.

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Bats in trees

why woodland is so important to these nighttime visitors… Bats are one of the most fascinating but misunderstood animals in the world. For many people, they conjure up images of evil spirits and bloodthirsty vampires. Probably the most famous reference to bats in popular culture is in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. First published in 1897 but made famous by the original film in 1931, the shapeshifting Romanian aristocrat has probably done the most to cement negative images of bats into people’s minds. 50

In reality, this perception of bats could not be further from the truth, but their shy and secretive nature has meant that old myths die hard. In fact, out of the estimated 1,300 species of bats in the world the majority eat insects with others having found to eat fruit and nectar. Only three species of bat feed on blood and are all found in South America – not Transylvania! In the UK, bats feed exclusively on insects, ranging from small

biting midges to large beetles such as cockchafers and dung beetles. Out of all the small fluttery shadows that you are able to make out at sunset, the pipistrelle is probably the bat you’re most likely to see as it is often flies around street lights and in gardens. Although only weighing around 5 grams, pipistrelle bats can eat up to 3,000 insects per night! In addition to the tiny pipistrelle, there are a further 17 other bat species to spot in

or pup. By August, the pups are able to catch insects by themselves, and the cycle starts again as mating season begins in September. Bats live in roosts. They don’t ‘construct’ anything, like birds, but use structures that are already available to set up home, such as buildings, trees and caves. They move roosts a few times throughout the year, securing accommodation to suit their needs depending on the season. For example, pregnant female bats gather together and set up ‘maternity roosts’ in early summer, favouring warm, dry spaces in which to give birth. In winter, however, bats search for somewhere with a cool, constant temperature in which to hibernate. Underground caves are often used for this purpose.

the UK – making up almost a quarter of our mammal species. Some of the more common species that you might see include the brown long-eared bat, which has huge ears that are almost as long as its body, the pinkfaced Daubenton’s bat and the noctule, our largest bat. The summer months are the best time to see bats, as this is when they’re most active. In June, female bats give birth, usually to a single baby bat,

Trees are also a popular roosting site used by three quarters of UK bat species. Older trees with crevices, holes, cracks and rotting wood are favoured as these provide the spaces bats need for roosting. Trees and woodlands are particularly important for bats as they support large numbers of insects, providing a steady food supply for bats. Contrary to the saying ‘blind as a bat’, bats actually have perfectly good vision, but they use something called ‘echolocation’ to hunt their insect prey and also navigate around their surroundings. Echolocation is essentially a form of radar. The bat makes

a very high frequency sound and then listens for its echo to return. By producing up to 200 calls per second, bats are able to build a threedimensional image of their surroundings that is accurate enough to pluck a spider from its web without damaging it. Bats have different calls and conservationists are able to use bat detectors to tune in and identify which bats are flying around. Like many other wild species, bat numbers have declined because of a gradual loss of habitat, food sources and roosting sites. In recognition of this, all British bats and their roosts are now protected by law. By planting and managing woodlands in the Forest of Marston Vale, we are providing new habitats for bats to help numbers recover in the future. 51

Bromham Conservation Group Bromham Conservation Group and Friends of Bromham Mill are voluntary groups working with the borough and parish councils, and the new Bromham Mill Trust to maintain and develop the Mill and the extensive meadows, woodland and water courses behind. Conservation Group volunteers also work at other sites around the village but recently most of our effort has been devoted to the Mill as the café prepares to reopen followed perhaps by the rest of the building in due course. Our volunteers have improved the woodland behind the Mill, created new flower beds and opened new walks and trails. The work we do makes maintenance easier, as well as improving visitor experience. We have created new planters from timber recovered from the brook and cleared rubbish washed by winter floodwater down to the mill sluices. We also work closely with the Bromham Mill Nature Club, which offers local children the opportunity to learn about nature, plant bulbs and spring flowers and

study wildlife. The Conservation Group and Nature Club created the woodland fairy walk that has become so popular with local families. With enjoyable company, it is also great fun working together on our various projects. At Bromham Mill this has included painting and mending the outside of the barns, internally dusting and painting the mill. When the Mill reopens we hope to restart our Mill machinery demonstrations and machinery maintenance as well as continue to research and help restore selected artefacts in the Mill. All volunteers are welcome. If you like working outdoors or on internal projects and can offer a little time, please get in touch with us. We issue a regular email newsletter to tell our supporters what we have achieved and what we plan to do next. For further details of our programme visit the parish website at https://bromham-pc.gov.uk or email bcg@peterargyle.plus.com.

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RSPB Celebrating 100 years of saving birds This July, the RSPB celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the 1921 Plumage (Prohibition) Act and the RSPB’s first successful campaign to save nature. In 1889, sickened by a slaughter of exotic birds for their feathers, Emily Williamson started the Society for the Protection of Birds to campaign for change. Her efforts helped bring about the 1921 Plumage (Prohibition) Act and the founding of a global force to save nature – the RSPB.

Together they campaigned tirelessly for change and in July 1921 the Plumage (Prohibition) Act was passed, banning the import of plumage. The campaign to protect wild birds was the first successful campaign by the RSPB and solidified our role as a conservation organisation that works for nature both in the UK and internationally. From the 1870s to the 1920s the fashion for feathers in ladies’ hats was huge and tragically driving birds such as little egrets, great crested grebes and birds of paradise towards extinction.

Emily Williamson’s amazing achievement is to be commemorated with a statue at her former home in Fletcher Moss, near Manchester. Others too were determined to protect wild birds from the whims of fashion, and Emily Williamson joined forces with Etta Lemon and Eliza Phillips of the Fur, Fin and Feather Folk of Croydon, and Winifred Cavendish-Bentinck, Duchess of Portland.

The campaign against this ‘murderous millinery’ was fought on all fronts. RSPB supporters across the country wrote letters to women wearing feather hats, spoke to the shopkeepers that stocked them, and sought influence with prominent figures from politicians to the royal family. Campaigning continues to be vital in the fight to save nature. Thanks to their members and supporters – land has been saved from harmful development and birds that were close to extinction have been brought back. We have seen red kites return to our skies, ospreys breed once more in Britain and white-tailed eagles recolonise parts of Scotland. Little egrets – once hunted for their plumage and pushed to extinction in the UK – now fly free. For more information on how you can support the RSPB visit www.rspb.org.uk

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IN AN EMERGENCY Acorn House operates an emergency service run by our own permanent team of vets and nurses 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. • This service is run from our own premises (unlike some practices who require you to travel to other premises out of hours). • We have a dedicated oncall nurse caring for pets who stay at the surgery overnight. • In case of an out of hours emergency please TELEPHONE 01234 261839. Please visit our website for further details & pricing Acorn House Veterinary Hospital Linnet Way, Brickhill, Bedford MK41 7HN

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Feeding

cats and dogs There is a huge variety of pet food on the market and it can be bewildering to decide which is best for your pet.

Safety reassurance Always choose a food labelled “complete pet food” for dogs/cats as this is a legal statement to prove that the food will provide all of your dog/cat’s nutritional requirements. A scientifically produced feeding guide must be present on the packaging. Ensure that the food you are feeding your pet is registered with the Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA).

Wet foods Wet foods are presented in tins, pouches or foil trays. They can often be more palatable to cats and dogs than dry food. They contain a lot of moisture which means they are helpful for pets that have a high water requirement (such as pets with kidney or bladder conditions). Uneaten food should be disposed off within a few hours, especially in hot weather. Large dogs may struggle to obtain enough calories when fed on wet food alone (the high moisture content means that it is not very calorie-dense).

Dry foods Dry foods do not spoil if the pet does not eat all of their meal at once. Dry foods are more caloriedense than wet foods, so are helpful for pets that are growing quickly or need to gain weight. Some dry foods can help to reduce plaque formation in the mouth.

Raw foods If you wish to feed your pet a raw diet, ensure that it is a “complete” raw diet registered with the PFMA as this eliminates the risk of nutritional imbalances and reduces the risk of infection transmission. Ensure that food is removed promptly if not eaten. Handle feeding bowls and utensils just as you would any other kitchen implement that had been in contact with raw meat. There are potential human health risks when pets are fed raw food and then lick the hands and faces of the people in the household. Do not feed a mixture of raw and cooked foods as this combination is difficult for the pet to digest.

Wood Green: Pet owners’ first port of call

Have you ever had difficulty with a pet? If so, you’re not alone. Each month, around 500 people contact Wood Green, The Animals Charity seeking guidance about their pet. The charity can help at every step of the way, with a range of services available:

Access online advice and workshops

Get help covering the cost of pet care

As a pet owner, you’ve probably turned to Google about their diet, health or behaviour. For trusted advice on all aspects of pet care, at any time of day, visit Wood Green’s website to browse informative articles, howto videos and a regularly updated schedule of workshops.

Sometimes, the unexpected happens. If you’re faced with a veterinary bill you can’t afford or find yourself unable to access the basics for your pet, Wood Green can help by contributing towards veterinary care or supplying essentials like pet food and flea treatment*.

Speak to a behaviourist for free

Don’t wait to ask for help If you are struggling or feel unable to continue caring for a pet, for any reason, the charity will work with you to discuss your options and find the right solution for your pet. Whatever you’re going through, talk to Wood Green first. Simply call the team on 0300 303 9333 or visit woodgreen.org.uk. *Financial support is subject to assessment

Dog’s manners not up to scratch? Talk to us first. Whatever problem you’re experiencing with your pet, our experts can help you solve it – every step of the way.

We offer free, life-long support for you and your pet. Talk to us on 0300 303 9333 or visit woodgreen.org.uk

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Puffins on Skomer WILDLIFE IN THE UK – GREG COYNE, WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER

I recently enjoyed a week’s break in South Pembrokeshire with the family. I usually only travel that way when I am staying over on Skomer Island for a few days, photographing the puffins and other seabirds. On this occasion I only had one day to spare out of the family holiday, so I booked a one-day trip to the island. For anyone wanting to see puffins, Skomer is one of the best places as you can really get up close; they will literally run around your feet. It’s easy to book a day trip to Skomer online. Just visit www.welshwildlife.org, pick a day and pay £40 per person which includes the boat to the island and the landing fee. It’s pot luck what weather you get and there is very little shelter on the island other than the old farm building in the centre, where there are also toilets. You do need to have reasonable mobility to get on and off the boat and you will need to climb over 80 steps up to the top of the cliff on Skomer. There is a handrail so if your fitness is not the best, just take your time. Once you are at the top, it’s all pretty flat with grass paths – but you must stay on the paths. The puffins are usually there from early April though to August so make sure you time your visit well. It’s then a 30-minute walk to get to my favourite place on the island, The Wick, and it’s here that many of the puffins have their burrows which usually hold one young puffling. The parents fly out to sea collecting sand eels to feed the puffling and it’s an amazing sight as they return to the island, landing on the cliff just in front of you. They usually have a mouthful of food while they scurry and pace to find their own burrow and puffling. Sometimes it’s funny to watch as they seem to lose their sense of direction, forgetting which burrow is theirs, and they wander aimlessly with full beaks until they finally strike lucky and find the right one.

Puffins have their own special call, which is a fantastic sound to hear, and you will quite often see the parents renewing their bond with beak touching and knocking. You can also see them repairing their burrows – maybe carrying sticks, flowers or literally anything that they can get down there to make their burrow ‘special’. I have also witnessed them clearing two-inch stones out of the burrow, carrying them over to the cliff edge and dropping them over the side – unfortunate for any puffin that may be nesting lower down. All of the images shown here were taken in the first week of July when the cliff edges were strewn with daisies. There are many other seabirds to see if you have time and also short eared owls. But on a day trip you only get about four hours on the island, so you need to ensure you are back at the jetty for your designated boat to take you back to the mainland. It’s a great trip and, if you do get a chance to visit, you won’t be disappointed. If you would like to see more of my images, simply log on to my Facebook page which is Greg Coyne Photography, where you will also find video clips.

SONGBIRDS

Nature’s early-morning concert is one of the summer’s greatest pleasures, and with a little encouragement, we can bring this dawn chorus to our front and back doors.

THE BIRDS: Robin – The robin produces a twinkling, crystal-like sound that flutters through the air. You will hear this little fellow all year round. Great tit – A repetitive two-toned whistle that cuts through the air and is most prominent in early spring. Wren – For many, the best improvised whistle of them all, with a raft of twists and twirls ending up in a rattling cacophony of noise towards the end. Willow warbler – Best characterised for a chain of notes that lowers as it progresses, the warbler’s song has clear gaps in between notes and a powerful chirp. Chaffinch – Heard throughout spring and summer, the chaffinch offers a punchy, powerful array of notes that slows towards the end. Blackbird – So typical of the bird itself, the blackbird’s song features notes drawn into each other that offer a range of tones and a stylish array of chords. Song thrush – Heard throughout the year, the song thrush makes a sound closest to those slightly shrill mobile phone ringtones… but nicer! Goldfinch – With elegant inflections and the occasional sound of a penny whistle thrown in for good measure, a chaffinch has an eclectic song and is heard from early spring.

HOW TO ATTRACT THEM: Bird feeders – Unknown to many, the type of food you leave in bird feeders will directly influence the species you attract. For instance, suet balls are favourites with robins, blue tits, and long-tailed tits; niger seeds are loved by greenfinches and goldfinches; starlings, robins and blackbirds will come if mealworms are on offer; while tits, finches and siskins love the fatty proteins of peanuts. Water – Whether bathing, playing in it or drinking the stuff, a supply of fresh water, usually on a shallow plate, is one of the best ways to get birds engaged in your garden. Plants – Edible plants, berries, shrubs, and wildflowers will keep your birds hanging around for long periods. Protection – Birds are always on the lookout for cats and other predators ready to disrupt their everyday pleasures of gliding from one branch to another, so the more space you can offer your feathered friends, the more they will relax and hang about. Birdboxes – Ensure you are hanging these high enough away from cats and squirrels, and in a semi-sheltered where birds can nest in peace.

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Opportunity for Women of all ages & abilities, to play inclusive, fun Football in Bedford This year the FA Women’s Super League (FA WSL) celebrated its 10th Season and in July next year England host the UEFA Women’s Euros with 16 Teams taking part – England and Northern Ireland represent the Home Nations. Major Football grounds around the Country will host matches with Stadium MK our nearest venue. With initiatives from the FA already underway, ongoing interest in the WSL, extra media and TV coverage of the Euros to further increase awareness next year and a legacy programme in place to take full advantage … Women’s Football has never been in a better place. The FA want to give Women of all ages and abilities the opportunity to play and that is reflected in their Women’s Recreational Football programme … so, what does that mean for Women in Bedford who would love to kick a ball about. In 2019 in conjunction with the Beds FA and the Borough Sports Development Team we were the first in the area to start running a dedicated Women’s Walking Football Session. It is a fun session for any age and fitness level and a great introduction if you haven’t played football before and a chance to make a comeback if you have!

The main differences between standard football and Walking Football are the two key rules of no running and no slide tackles. Play the game you love but reduce the chances of injury. Walking Football is a great way to keep fit, learn skills, have fun and socialise all at the same time. As you can imagine the Sessions have been affected by Covid over the last year but have now re-started on Wednesdays 7.00-8.00pm at Kempston Rovers following both Government and FA Guidelines For further information and to book your place (unfortunately we are unable to have people just turn up on the night) please email: info@walkingfootballbedford.co.uk www.walkingfootballbedford.co.uk #THIS GIRL CAN

28 YEARS EXPERIENCE FULLY INSURED Domestic Commercial Industrial Fire Alarms Fault Finding ALL STAFF FULLY CRB CHECKED AND QUALIFIED

*NO JOB TOO SMALL*

TEL: BEDFORD 01234 402653 MOBILE: 07760 821221 EMAIL: INFO@MHALLSELECTRICAL.CO.UK

BRIDGE ROOFING All aspects of rooﬁng, facias and guttering. Free quotes All work guaranteed 01234 404080 07542 719971

www.roofingbedford.co.uk

Small, friendly plastering company based in Bedford With over a decade of experience and a strong reputation for quality workmanship and reliability.

      

Plastering of ceilings and walls Damaged ceilings and walls repaired Covering artex Plasterboarding Skimming Patch repairs Insurance work

Tel: 07847 307334 E | info@cmplastering.net W | www.cmplastering.net

To advertise with us, please contact christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk

Air Conditioning RP-X Services

Education 59

Bedford Arts & Crafts Centre Footsteps School of Dancing

Electrician

23 70

Architects APC Design

M Halls Electrical

Artificial Grass Prestige Lawns

QP Interiors

Cafes & Tea Rooms Bubble Tea

37 55

Events Marston Forest Jurassic Trail Oak Fostering Open Day

17 55

Browns of Stagsden Hill Farm

30 30

French Tuition

Charities Age UK Home Help Service Bedford Daycare Hospice Wood Green Animal Charity

Farm Shops

Care Homes Sharnbrook House Oak Fostering

Escape Rooms Don’t Get Locked In

Bathrooms

42 11 58

French in Beds

Flight Simulation ProFlite 46

Chiropodists and Podiatrists Saxon Footcare

Neville Funeral Service Abbotts funerals

Cleaning Services Aroma Clean Citrus Clean OvenClean Bedford

42 55 71

Clock Sales & Repairs Bedford Clocks

Claytons at Hatters 25 Lodgeway 37

Computer Repair/Maintenance/Sales 46

Curtains & Blinds Emperor Blinds Cool & Classic

70 43

Domestic Appliance Repairs JB Domestic Ltd

7 53

Furniture Restorations H.C Restorations

Garage Doors

Clothing

Oakley IT

Funeral Services

Almond Garage Doors 4 Counties Garage Doors

Garden Services/Supplies Bryan Johnson Landscapes Eden Tree Specialists MJ Nicholson TPI Garden Services Whites ES Ltd Garden Machinery Garden Building Services GBS Top Turf KH Garden Services

71 64 71 64 71 65 70 71

Guttering Services MK Guttering

70 63

Hair & Beauty Orchid Hair & Beauty 33 Enhance 27

Health & Wellbeing Future-Edge Therapy

Roofing/Roofing Merchants 27

Kitchen Doors Dream Doors

Bridge Roofing 67 Nu-look Conservatory Roofing 13 Start 1967 Roofing 48

Skip Hire Paul Riches

Laundry & Ironing Services Bubbles Laundrette

Soft Furnishings Cool & Classic

Locksmith A Rocket

Loft Ladders Home Counties Loft Ladders

Medal Framing & Mounting R&M Duchemins

65 53 39 63 49 71

Property Maintenance Mr Fix Property Maintenance

Pubs & Restaurants The Sun Felmersham Retirement Home Elderwell

Not Just Travel

Anna Humphreys Maths & English

Upholstery 70

Used Car Buyers Paul Jones Cars

Property Agents Artistry Property

The Place Theatre

M & S Upholstery

Plumbing & Heating BHC Heating & Plumbing Bliss Plumbing CM Plumbing Drain Doctor The Bedford Plumbers TR Donnelly

Canoe Trail 16 Twinwoods Adventure 21 19 The Higgins Museum Yoga 33

Tuition 49 70 47

Plasterer CM Plastering

Sports & Leisure

Travel Agent 33

Painting & Decorating Bromham Painting & Decorating Colours Professional Craig Johnson

Theatres 71

Mobile Hairdresser Deborah Hair

Vets Acorn House Veterinary Hospital

Wedding Venue The Lakeside

Will Writing The Will Writing Company

Windows, Doors & Conservatories Bromham Windows Cloudy 2 Clear Kempston Windows

47 76 48

31 29

A DV E RT I S E R I N D E X 69

ARTIFICIAL GRASS CLEANING

FURNISHINGS

CLASSIFIEDS

Complete Re-upholstery Service

M&S Upholstery

Quality Service Call now at: 01234 302883 Or: 07954161786

● Traditional and modern ● 3 pc suites, wing chairs, arm-chairs, recliners, dining room chairs and stools ● Frame repairs, re-springing, and replacement cushion fillings ● Domestic and contracted work undertaken ● Free estimates and friendly advice

CLOCK SALES & REPAIRS

Clock Repairs • Clock Sales Call Michael:

ANTIQUE & MODERN FURNITURE REPAIR AND RESTORATION IN BEDFORDSHIRE

01234 217104 Associate member of the British Horological institute for 25 years

www.bedfordclocks.co.uk OLD CLOCKS WANTED FOR PARTS

RESTORERS OF ANTIQUE & MODERN FURNITURE. FRENCH POLISHING. French Polishing&•MODERN Kitchen FURNITURE. Worktop Sand & Re-oil RESTORERS OF ANTIQUE FRENCH POLISHING. HAYDN CLARKE Desk Leathers Supplied & Fitted • On-Site French Polishing HAYDN CLARKE Work Insurance, Fire & Flood work TEL:Undertaken 01923 252738 MOBILE: 07958 710979 59 TEL: ELSTOW KEMPSTON, BEDS. MK428HH Collection & Delivery 01923ROAD, 252738 MOBILE: 07958 710979

E-MAIL: HCRESTORATIONS@SKY.COM WWW.HCRESTORATIONS.CO.UK 59Haydn ELSTOW ROAD, KEMPSTON, BEDS. MK428HH Call on 01234 851 624 or 07958 710 979 E-MAIL: HCRESTORATIONS@SKY.COM WWW.HCRESTORATIONS.CO.UK hcrestorations@sky.com • www.hcrestorations.co.uk

DANCE LESSONS

Footsteps School of Dancing Ballroom & Latin Dance Classes Classes start 1st September 2021 Tuesday Evening:- Edward Peake Middle School Biggleswade Wednesday Evening:- St Francis College Letchworth Thursday Morning:- St Paul’s Church Letchworth

Line Dance Classes

Friday Morning:- St Paul’s Church Hall Letchworth Sequence Dancing Friday Evening:- Arlesey WI Hall We offer beginner, extra step and private lessons

To secure your place visit www.footstepsschoolofdancing.co.uk or call Nigel or Deborah on 01462-673895

WWW.footstepsschoolofdancing.co.uk Nigel@footstepsschoolofdancing.co.uk Telephone 01462-673895 or 07713577413

DECORATING SERVICES

COLOURS PROFESSIONAL

GARAGE DOORS

ALMOND GARAGE DOORS LTD  Bedford & Milton Keynes  New Sales & Installations  Existing Doors Automated  Spare Parts

Painter & Decorator based in Great Barford City & Guilds Level 2 No job too big or too small

Jamie McCartney Tel: 07538

174703

coloursprofessional@gmail.com

01234 828953

info@almondgd.co.uk

Unit 1a, College Farm, Oakley, MK43 7RX

GARDENING SERVICES

HEATING SERVICES

T.R.Donnelly

HEATING SERVICES

557766

Local Engineer Specialising in all heating appliances Breakdowns & Installations Fixed Boiler Services £65 Landlord Gas Certs Power Flushing All Plumbing Repairs Carried Out

01234 307 667 | 07967 643 405 MEDALS

K H Garden Services

• All garden maintenance undertaken • Grass cutting, hedge cutting etc • Regular maintenance and contract work • Reliable, professional, friendly service • Locally based company - Fully insured

R&M DUCHEMINS

• Medal framing and medal mounting. • Full size and miniature • Regimental gifts, British replica replacement Army, RAF, medals. Royal Navy & Merchant.

Contact: 07708 594746

Tel: 01234 268738 Mobile: 07877 242408 www.duchemins.co.uk OVEN CLEANING

TIME TO CLEAN YOUR OVEN? LET US DO THE JOB YOU HATE BEFORE

AFTER

l Filters l Hobs Ovens l BBQs l Ranges Grills l Extractors l Microwaves l AGAs Call Mark Plumbly or go online today for your FREE quote! l l

0800 840 7127 ovenclean.com USED CAR DISPOSAL

WHITES ES LTD

Domestic & Commercial Garden Machinery College Farm, Lovell Road, Oakley, MK43 7RX 01234 826066 in info@whites-online.co.uk www.whites-online.co.uk www.whites-online.co.uk Tel: 01234 826066 College Farm, Lovell Road, Oakley, Bedford, MK43 7RX Sales, Service, Parts, Repair & Hire Briggs & Stratton Service Centre

Also Available Indespenison & Brian James Trailers and more.

UsefulResources ACCESS BEDFORD Works with the D/deaf and hard of hearing community to make Bedford Borough more accessible. They also have a facebook social group for Deaf people living in and around Bedford

BEDFORDSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITIES CHARITY Delivering a wide range of rural development and community projects. Tel 01234 838771 www.bedsrcc.org.uk

Tel 07376 262 873 www.accessbedford.org.uk

AGE UK BEDFORDSHIRE

BEDFORDSHIRE WELLBEING SERVICE

Local organisation solely devoted to the welfare of the over 50’s in Bedfordshire.

Offers a range of free and confidential talking therapies and specialist support to help you feel better.

Tel 01234 360510 www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire

Tel 01234 880400 www.bedfordshirewellbeingservice.nhs.uk

AUTISM BEDFORDSHIRE Independent charity dedicated to improving the lives of autistic people and their families across Bedfordshire.. Tel 01234 350704 www.autismbedfordshire.net BEDFORD BOROUGH LOCAL OFFER A place where parents and young people with Special Educational Needs and or disabilities can find clubs, activities and services to support them and their families Here you will find details of upcoming events, clubs and services available in the Borough of Bedford. www.localoffer.bedford.gov.uk

BEDFORD DAYCARE HOSPICE Provides individualised holistic care to patients suffering with a life-limiting condition from the point of diagnosis through treatment to remission or palliative care. Tel 01234 352 015 www.bedforddaycarehospice.org.uk

BEDFORD WOMEN’S CENTRE Supporting women in the community who may have experienced Domestic Abuse or want more information about healthy relationships. Tel 01234 316801 www.bedfordwomenscentre.org.uk

BOLD Supporting and advocating for people with a learning disability and challenging behaviours. Tel 01234 352899 www.bo4ld.org.uk

CARERS IN BEDFORDSHIRE Local charity helping unpaid carers of all ages and backgrounds to cope with the stresses of their caring role. Tel 0300 111 1919 www.carersinbeds.org.uk

CATS PROTECTION Tel 0345 260 2505 www.cats.org.uk/bedford

CHUMS

MINDBLMK

Mental health and emotional wellbeing service for children and young people

Supporting positive mental health and wellbeing.

01525 863924 www.chumscharity.org

COMMUNITY VOLUNTARY SERVICE BEDFORDSHIRE (CVS ) Support for voluntary and community sector organisations in Bedfordshire. Tel 01234 354366 www.cvsbeds.org.uk

Tel 0300 330 0648 www.mind-blmk.org.uk

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS THERAPY CENTRE BEDS & NORTHANTS Provides help, support and therapy for those with MS in Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire. Tel 01234 325781 www.mscentrebedsandnorthants.com

FACES (FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S EARLYHELP SERVICES)

OPEN DOOR Charity providing FREE and confidential counselling

local independent charity offering practical and emotional support to families under stress.

to young people aged 13 – 25.

01234 270601 www.facesbedford.org

Tel 01234 360388 www.bedfordopendoor.org.uk

FAMILIES FIRST BEDFORDSHIRE 01234 341977 www.familiesfirstbedfordshire.org.uk

FRIENDS FOR LIFE A local charity working to address the social isolation of residents in Bedford’s care homes Tel 07460 575410 www.friendsforlifebedford.org.uk

ROAD VICTIMS TRUST Offers a range of free support services to residents of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire who have been affected by fatal road collisions. Tel 01234 843345 www.rvtrust.org.uk

SMILEY CLUB (PART OF BEDFORD MENCAP) Provides a fun social club for boys and girls from 9 to 18 who have learning disabilities. Tel 07798 762 808

MEN AS VICTIMS Group support is provided for men who have experienced domestic abuse in a safe, therapeutic environment. This service is for male victims living in Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire or Luton. Tel 01234 341977 www.bedsdv.org.uk/get-help/men-as-victims/

MENCAP (BEDFORD) A voluntary organisation operating in Bedford and surrounding areas supporting individuals with a learning disability and their families. Tel 07973 859940 www.bedfordmencap.org.uk

SUE RYDER ST JOHN’S HOSPICE A specialist palliative care and treatment centre providing hospice care for people facing a frightening, lifechanging diagnosis. Tel 01767 642412 | www.sueryder.org

THE JOBS HUB Provides an all age careers advice and employment support service for people that live in and around Bedford. Tel 01234 223510 www.bedfordjobshub.co.uk

JULY PRIZE CROSSWORD

Answers

JULY PRIZE CROSSWORD

Answers

James Mellor Creative

Bespoke Cartoons & Corporate Copywriting for publications, websites, social media, presentations and conferences www.jamesmellorcreative.com @jamesdfmellor 74

The Will Writing Company Mayfair House 11 Lurke Street Bedford MK40 3HZ Tel: 01234 964911

Free Will & Testament The Will Writing Company is celebrating its 22nd Year in business and is offering a free Will & Testament (joint or single) to all readers. If you have been meaning to make a Will, now is your chance to take advantage of this exclusive offer and give you and your loved ones peace of mind. By making a Will, you decide who takes care of your children and who inherits your estate. Storage facility optional.

To take advantage of this offer and book an appointment or for further information please call n the above number between the hours of 9:00am-5:30pm Monday to Friday.

OFFER ENDS 31st August 2021

FREE WILL VOUCHER

This voucher entitles you to a FREE Mirror Will (normal cost £125) or a FREE Single Will (normal cost £85)

Valid until 31st August 2021 The Will Writing Company

Mayfair House, 11 Lurke Street, Bedford, Beds, MK40 3HZ

Tel 01234 964911

Email:enquiries@thewillwritingco.co.uk

Terms and Conditions. Office and telephone appointments available. This voucher can not be exchanged for cash – The voucher must be produced at your appointment.

Have Your Windows Steamed Up? Replace the pane, not the frame!

“I really liked the fact that they were a local community run business” Janet Beard All glazing backed by our

We are a Which? Trusted Trader Social distancing in operation

Faulty locks, handles or hinges? Priority freephone www.cloudy2clear.co.uk

Love Your Home - Protect Your Windows - Save Money

BedsLife August 2021

Articles inside

Useful Local Resources

Gardening – Songbirds

The Great Outdoors – Puffi ns on Skomer

Women’s Walking Football

Acorn House Pet Advice

Wood Green

RSPB Celebrates 100 years of Saving Birds

Bromham Conservation Group

Milky’s Music Matters

Lyd Eats Food – FatCap Smokehouse

What’s On

Home Interiors – How to avoid Colour Crises

The Composing Cook – Biscuit Log Cake

Marston Forest – Bats in Trees

Prize Crossword

Sizzling Summer Reads

Little Bandits Boot Camp

Volunteer Opportunities

Summer Reading Challenge

Forever Fashion

Richard Fuller MP

No Mean Feet

Council News

Sharnbrook Community Sports Centre